As an amateur astronomer, I've done a lot of research about light pollution. That led me to research about how light affects sleep. Here's the summed-up version so you don't need to read all those scientific papers I have:
- Blue light is great for being awake - that's why you wake up with a blue sky (read about melanopsin and melatonin on Wikipedia)
- Blue light is not good for sleep; in the 470 nanometers range, that suppresses melatonin (a key hormone for sleeping well)
- Humans (and other animals) evolved to sleep in the dark - or, at the darkest, full Moonlight (just 0.1-0.3 lux of light)
- Longer wavelengths of light were the only source of light at night for most of human history (fire / candles)
- Tablets / phones / screens / LED's and many CFL bulbs have strong blue wavelengths that are messing with our circadian rhythms and suppressing melatonin, because they have wavelengths shorter than 530nm - 540nm
So what to do in our modern world? Wear these glasses before bed. Natural melatonin production would have occurred with our ancestors starting with the onset of sunset. Wavelengths of light from the setting sun would have shifted to red, and fire or candles were usually the only form of light available. Those are both relatively dim, and in longer wavelengths.
Today, our "connected" world has a LOT of blue light. It's messing with our sleep patterns, because our bodies evolved to only see red/orange/yellow light at night, NOT blue light/shorter wavelenghts.
THESE GLASSES BLOCK THOSE MELATONIN SUPPRESSING WAVELENGTHS.
Put them on a couple hours before bed. For me, I start getting drowsy about 90 minutes after wearing them. The trick is DO NOT take them off without closing your eyes or being in a dark room (a room with ONLY a dim red light would work too, as your melanopsin won't trigger melatonin suppression with red light). So when changing for bed, close your eyes when removing your shirt if you have to pull it off over your head or put your night time clothing on.
Then leave these on until you turn out the light for sleep. And be sure to sleep in the dark too, or wear a sleep mask. Small amounts of light can still affect your melatonin (well, anything brighter then full Moonlight - yes, even a blue LED on your computer). You can watch TV with these on, check your phone, read your tablet, work on your laptop - just note that colors will look weird. Blue looks black. Yellow looks white. Greens look weird. And the glasses aren't exactly stylish.
But if you sleep better, who cares? They work.
And while you're at it, make sure your home's lights (and business if you own one) aren't shining into other people's homes or apartments. Too much light at night is what makes these things necessary in the first place. We don't need all this light at night; these glasses are just a band aid to help; what we really need is smarter outdoor lighting - aimed down, at the ground, at the proper color(s) so we aren't suppressing others melatonin. According to a Harvard study, the U.S. loses $63 BILLION dollars per year due to American's insomnia. Artificial light at night messing up people's sleep is undoubtedly part of that - let's fix that so these glasses aren't as necessary.
Oh, and did these glasses work for me? An emphatic YES, they did. 5 nights (so far) of excellent sleep and well-rested mornings. And I am NOT a morning person! They work - just use them the right way, and be sure you're not doing other things that might hurt sleep (too much caffeine, lack of / too much exercise right before bed, sleep apnea, etc.) So if it's not a medical condition, do the right things, wear these, and get better sleep.
From the manufacturer
Features:
- Orange lens
- Spectrum Control Technology (SCT)
- Blue light absorption
- Wrap-around uni-lens
- 3-Position ratcheting lens
- Adjustable-length temples
- Molded-in nose bridge
- Easy lens replacement
Uvex Skyper Blue Light Blocking Computer Glasses feature an orange lens with Spectrum Control Technology (SCT) to absorb your computer's blue light. This improves your focus, reduces eye fatique, and helps inhibit vision problems like cataracts.
The additional screen contrast with sharpened detail also allows for longer term screen-viewing. Comfort features include adjustable-length Duoflex cushioned temples, a 3-position ratcheting lens inclination system, and a molded-in nose bridge.
Features
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Better Focus and VisionOrange Lens with Spectrum Control Technology (SCT) absorbs computer blue light for improved screen contrast, reduced eye fatigue and long term vision protection. |
Exceptional ClarityWrap-around uni-lens design with integral side shields offers exceptional clarity. |
Custom Fit3-Position ratcheting lens inclination system for custom fit. |
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Optimal Screen ViewingPatented, adjustable-length Duoflex comfort cushioned temples for optimal screen viewing. |
Long-Wearing ComfortMolded-in nose bridge for long-wearing comfort. |
Easy MaintenanceSimple and economical lens replacement system. |
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This review is for the Uvex Skyper with SCT Orange lens tint, but the Skyper glasses are also available with other lens colors. I'm a blue light sensitive consumer who likes Uvex's tinted safety eyewear because they publish the spectral charts.SCT Orange is a non-polarized lens tint which blocks virtually all ultraviolet, violet, and blue light while allowing most of the longer wavelengths (from green to red) to pass through (see the spectral chart). This gives it a deep orange color. Unlike many other orange glasses, these are truly 'blue-blocking'. They were originally designed as specialty safety/work glasses for industrial environments with high UV levels. But in recent years, consumers have learned how effective they are for blocking out blue light from TV, computer, tablet, and cellphone displays - in the hours before bedtime, to avoid sleep disruption. Uvex recently began to advertise these glasses for this purpose.These can also be used as outdoor safety/work glasses - if you don't mind that they are brighter than most sunglasses. However because they so effectively block the blue and violet part of the spectrum, color discernment is poor; blue colors will be greyed-out or blacked-out, and whites, yellows, and oranges will look similar to one another. This SCT Orange lens tint isn't meant for properly seeing colors - and especially not for driving, where color perception is important. If you need decent color perception while still blocking most (but not all) of the blue end of the spectrum, Uvex has a brownish/coffee-colored lens tint called Espresso, which is better as a general-purpose sunglass lens. Most of Uvex's glasses are meant for safety or sporting use, so they're not very fashionable, but you know the spectral characteristics you're getting.The Skyper earpieces slide in and out to adjust for different head length, and the lens can click to different inclination angles. The lens is a large but snug-fitting wraparound shape...seems designed to fit adult men best. It fits me perfectly with no light trespass around the edges. Because it fits very close to the face you probably won't be able to wear prescription glasses underneath. I don't like the padded earpiece design - they put pressure on my head and give me a headache, but maybe I'm extra sensitive to pressure points behind the ears. Everyone has a different face & head shape, so your experience may differ with regard to fit and comfort. So the only way to know for sure if they are comfortable is to actually try them on. Lastly, the thin, clear, slightly rubbery anti-fog coating on mine started to peel off after a few months. But I don't care - I bought these for their spectral protection more than anything else.Some alternative choices, which are also non-polarized: Uvex's Ultra-spec 2000 is available with the same SCT Orange lens color. I haven't tried them. Most reviews say it fits better over prescription glasses. Blublockers brand glasses with the original 'amber' (orangish-brown) lens color are also fully blue-blocking lenses. They are darker than SCT Orange - maybe too dark to use indoors - but awesome as outdoor sunglasses. Smith & Wesson Magnum 3G Orange-lens glasses are brighter than the others but are still true blue-blocking lenses - however the rubber nosepiece on my second pair of S&W Magnum 3G glasses had an awful chemical smell. Cocoons brand fitovers with 'Orange' lens tint fit very well over prescription glasses (if you get the right size) but the ones I bought are not fully 'blue-blocking' lenses. In recent years, many more blue-blocking glasses have hit the marketplace.
Top reviews from other countries
Jo Yuen
Great Safety Glasses for Clear Vision and Comfort
Reviewed in Canada on February 27, 2024
abraham elias
me encantaron muy modernos y se ajustan bien
Reviewed in Mexico on May 21, 2023radha narayanan
Good
Reviewed in India on August 5, 2023
radha narayanan
Reviewed in India on August 5, 2023
Came a few days earlier than promised.
Good for continuous screen users.
Slept like a log of wood.
Cons-
came in a box almost crushed
cost can be lower
Please provide a case(if needed charge)-For heavens sake packing it in a plastic paper was !!!!!!!!
Images in this review
yazid h.
Becareful wrong ad, it’s only 1piece not 10
Reviewed in the United Arab Emirates on March 8, 2020
